DIY Toolshare - Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to our FAQ. Use the links below to jump to a section.
Jump to:
- About DIY Toolshare
- Search radius, listings, and wishlist
- Booking, payments, fees, VAT, and payouts
- Collection, inspection, and “tool doesn’t work”
- Rental period, extensions, and late returns
- Permitted use and restrictions
- Safety, checks, and responsibility
- Loss, damage, theft, and protection
- Injuries and liability
- Cancellations and no-shows
- Verification, conduct, and platform rules
- Tax, privacy, and account management
- Helpful links
About DIY Toolshare
What is DIY Toolshare?
DIY Toolshare is a P2P (peer-to-peer) marketplace for DIY tools, helping neighbours lend and borrow locally. Each booking creates a separate Per-Rental Contract between the Lender and the Borrower. DIY Toolshare provides the platform and is not a party to that rental contract.
Is DIY Toolshare a hire shop or the tool owner?
No. We’re not the owner, manufacturer, importer, distributor, or supplier of tools listed on the platform. Tools are listed by users and rented between users.
Search radius, listings, and wish-list
Why is the search radius limited to 5 miles?
We are designed for hyper-local sharing. A 5-mile radius keeps collection/returns practical, reduces cancellations and disputes, and adds a trust layer because rentals happen within a realistic distance for both parties. We may extend the search radius in some rural postcodes to unlock more options where population density (and listings) are lower.
It looks like there’s “nothing on the site” - why?
We’re new and growing supply area-by-area. Some postcodes will have limited inventory while local lenders come onboard. New listings are added continuously.
What if I don’t find any listings near me?
Create a Wish-list request. Wish-list demand helps us notify lenders and encourage local supply for exactly what people are looking for - including lenders who may be set up to receive payouts but haven’t created listings yet.
Can I browse outside my area just to get ideas of what to lend?
We’re working on improved discovery so the platform doesn’t feel “empty” early on, while keeping bookings local. For now, Wish-list is the best way to surface what you want to borrow.
Booking, payments, fees, VAT, and payouts
When does a booking become a contract?
A borrower’s booking request is an offer. A binding contract forms when the lender accepts the booking.
Do I have to pay through the platform?
Yes. All rentals and related charges must be processed through DIY Toolshare. Off-platform or cash payments aren’t allowed.
What fees do you charge?
We charge tool owners a 20% platform fee (min £0.50) to operate and improve DIY Toolshare (including any VAT that applies to our platform commission where applicable). Any VAT on the rental itself (if due) is the lender’s responsibility.
Borrowers pay only the listed rental price shown - there are currently no additional borrower fees at checkout. In future, we may introduce optional add-ons (e.g., enhanced protection) which would be clearly shown before payment.
When is the borrower charged?
The borrower’s payment method is authorised at booking. We collect payment at the start of the rental period.
Do you take deposits?
Not currently. We may introduce optional security deposits in future (for example as a pre-authorisation) to help manage late returns or loss/damage - and if/when we do, it will be clearly shown at checkout before you pay. (Our terms allow for deposits where shown.)
When does the lender get paid?
Net amounts (rental price less our commission, taxes, and any adjustments) are released to the lender after the rental period completes and no issues are reported, usually within 3-5 business days via our payments provider (Stripe).
Can payouts be adjusted (late fees, damage, chargebacks)?
Yes. Late fees, loss/damage amounts, agreed changes, and chargeback recoveries may be charged to the borrower and set-off against deposits or future payouts in line with the Per-Rental Contract and our processes.
Collection, inspection, and “tool doesn’t work”
Who collects/returns tools - the lender or the borrower?
In most cases, the borrower collects and returns the tool at the agreed times. Some lenders may offer delivery and/or collection as an optional arrangement, agreed directly between the lender and borrower. You can set your preference for each tool when you create (or edit) a listing.
What should we do at collection and return?
Both parties should exchange photos/video of the tool’s condition at collection and return via booking chat. Borrowers must inspect for obvious defects and must not use a tool that appears unsafe.
What if I collect a tool and it doesn’t work?
Don’t use it. Message the lender immediately in the booking chat, share photos/video where helpful, and try to resolve it promptly.
How do disputes work if people disagree?
Users must first try to resolve issues via booking chat. We may assist but are not obliged to resolve disputes. We may suspend accounts, remove listings, withhold payouts, or cancel bookings where we reasonably believe there’s risk of harm, fraud, or legal non-compliance.
Rental period, extensions, and late returns
How is the rental period defined?
The rental period runs from the booked start date/time to the booked end date/time shown in your booking. We’re also working on features to capture collection and return confirmations for added clarity.
Can I extend my booking?
Yes - extensions must be made in-app and approved by the lender before the original end date.
What happens if I return the tool late?
Unless you agree an extension in the platform, you’ll pay the listing’s late fee - or, if none is stated, up to 1× the daily hire price per day (capped at 7 days) plus any reasonable recovery costs.
Permitted use and restrictions
Can I use tools for trade/professional jobs?
By default, tools are for DIY-only personal use unless the listing expressly permits trade/professional use.
Can someone else use the tool if I booked it?
No. Sub-lending or third-party use isn’t allowed. The original borrower remains liable if this is breached.
Are there any types of work that are not allowed?
High-risk or regulated work is restricted (for example: gas work, fixed electrical installations, structural/load-bearing changes, asbestos or other regulated activities) unless suitably qualified and expressly permitted.
Safety, checks, and responsibility
Do you PAT test tools?
No. We do not provide training, engineering inspection, or safety certification, and we do not PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) test tools. Users must check safety and suitability before use.
What are borrowers responsible for during the rental?
Borrowers are responsible for careful use, safe transport (including tie-downs), and secure storage (e.g., locked building or vehicle boot out of sight). Avoid wet conditions for corded tools.
Any special rules for batteries/chargers?
Use only compatible equipment and stop use if overheating, smoke, sparks, or unusual smells occur.
Do I need to be a certain age?
Borrowers must be 18+ and competent to use the tool safely, follow manufacturer instructions, and use PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) where appropriate.
Loss, damage, theft, and protection
What if a tool is lost, damaged, or stolen?
The borrower must report damage/loss/theft immediately (and within 24 hours) via booking chat. For theft, the borrower must file a police report promptly and provide a crime reference number and evidence of reasonable security. Lenders may be asked for proof of ownership/value (receipt/invoice or reasonable evidence).
Do you offer platform protection up to £500?
Where the booking shows platform-funded Protection at checkout, it applies to the tool only, up to the stated limit (default £500), subject to exclusions (e.g., wear and tear, misuse, unsecured theft). It is not liability insurance and does not cover injury or third-party property damage.
What’s to stop fraud (fake claims, “I lent it but didn’t”, lending broken tools, etc.)?
Claims require timely reporting and evidence (including the booking record, messages, timestamps, and handover/return evidence). We may withhold payouts, suspend accounts, remove listings, or cancel bookings where we reasonably believe there’s risk of harm, fraud, or legal non-compliance.
What if my tool is worth more than £500?
Where protection applies, it’s capped at the stated limit. If your tool’s value exceeds this, you should list it only if you’re comfortable with the additional risk (or wait for enhanced protection options in future).
Is there third-party insurance available?
If we offer third-party insurance in future, it will be between the named insured(s) and the insurer, and any optional premium would be shown clearly before payment. DIY Toolshare is not an insurer or insurance intermediary.
Injuries and liability
What if someone injures themselves while using a tool?
Borrowers use tools at their own risk, subject to any non-excludable legal rights. Platform protection (if offered) covers the tool only - it does not cover injury or third-party property damage.
Cancellations and no-shows
What are the cancellation rules?
Cancellation rules are shown at checkout and/or in the listing and form part of the contract for that booking.
What if the borrower doesn’t show up to collect?
If the borrower fails to collect, the lender may keep the first day’s hire and reasonable costs unless the listing states otherwise.
Verification, conduct, and platform rules
Do you verify users?
We may require identity and/or address verification (for example via Stripe). A “Verified” badge indicates a completed check at a point in time; it is not an endorsement or guarantee.
Can I arrange payment or repeat rentals off the platform?
No. Circumventing the platform payment system or fees is prohibited and may result in account suspension/termination.
Tax, privacy, and account management
Do lenders need to pay tax on earnings?
Lenders are responsible for their own tax obligations and reporting to HMRC (His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) where required (including Self-Assessment if applicable). We don’t provide tax advice and don’t withhold/remit tax on your behalf.
How do you use my data?
We process personal data in line with our Privacy Policy and UK-GDPR (United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation) requirements.
Can I delete my account?
Yes - contact us and we’ll process deletion. If you have active bookings or unresolved issues, we may need to complete those first.